Newens Sanitary Dairy Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Newens Sanitary Dairy Historic District
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | 2225 and 2300-2312 University Ave. Des Moines, Iowa |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and early 20th century American movements |
| NRHP reference No. | 03000062 |
| Added to NRHP | December 17, 2003 |
The Newens Sanitary Dairy Historic District is in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. It includes three main buildings. These are the old dairy buildings and the Newens family home. This area has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 2003. This means it is a special place recognized for its history.
Contents
The Dairy's Story
The Newens family started their dairy business around 1910. Lynn Newens first ran the dairy from his home. This was on 26th Street in Des Moines.
In 1913, the business moved to University Avenue. It was at 2300-2306 University Avenue. Three years later, it grew even more. The dairy expanded to include 2300-2312 University Avenue. By 1918, the Newens dairy bought the last two empty lots there. They built a brand new building in 1922.
Making Milk Safe and Clean
When the Newens dairy began, new ideas were changing the dairy industry. Cities like Des Moines started checking how clean dairies were. In 1910, Des Moines hired its first milk inspector.
Newens Sanitary Dairy wanted to show they made fresh, safe, and good quality products. They even used their family name. This showed they stood behind their milk. Adrian Newens, Lynn's brother, was the company president. He had been a professor before joining the dairy.
The dairy's name changed over time. In the 1920s, it became Newens Dairy Co. Later, in 1929, they joined with another company. This was Northland Dairy and Furnas Ice Cream. The company then became Newens-Northland Co. In 1935, the business moved from University Avenue. In the 1940s, it changed its name one last time to Northland Milk Co.
How the Dairy Worked
The dairy complex had several parts. There was a front office and an area for processing milk. They also had a place for bottling milk. There was storage for vehicles and a stable for horses. The stable was on the second floor. It was above the vehicle storage building. This building was separate from the main dairy.
Horses were important for delivering milk. They were used until the early 1940s. A fire destroyed a stable in a different place. Sadly, 22 horses died in that fire.
Milk deliveries started late at night. The dairy bought milk from local farmers. To get it ready, the milk had to be tested. It was also clarified and pasteurized. Then it was bottled.
Pasteurization was very important. It helped destroy germs that could make people sick. It also kept the milk fresh and good. Not all dairies pasteurized their milk. This was because it cost extra money. Newens Dairy made sure their facility was very clean. They advertised, "Pasteurized Milk and Cream, Buttermilk and Cottage Cheese." They also invited people to visit: "You are invited to inspect our plant at any time. We pride ourselves on our cleanliness.”
Sharing Bottles and Selling the Building
Newens Dairy was part of a group called the Des Moines Milk Dealers Bottle Exchange, Inc. This group helped wash and return empty milk bottles. Lynn Newens was probably an officer in this group.
After Newens joined with Northland, much of the University Avenue plant became empty. The bottle exchange moved into the facility. It stayed there from 1934 to 1947. Newens-Northland still owned the building. They rented it out to other businesses.
In 1951, the Biermann family bought the buildings. Harry Biermann ran an electrical shop in the old dairy's front office. His sons joined him in the business. They later started an electrical engineering company. It was called Biermann Electric Co. They used the old dairy processing area. They also used the vehicle storage building. They rented out other parts of the building to different businesses. Biermann Electric sold the building in 2001.
The Newens Family Home
Lynn Newens and his wife Susan lived in a house near the dairy. Susan was the company's bookkeeper. They moved into the house at 2220 University Avenue around 1913.
By 1916, the Newens family lived across the street. This was at 2225 University Avenue. It is a large Victorian house. It sits on a corner lot. The house was diagonally across from the dairy. Lynn and Susan lived in this house for over 15 years. After Susan passed away, Lynn moved to his daughter's house nearby.
Another family, the Mounts, moved into the house. Carman G. Mount worked at the dairy. His family lived there until about 1938. The Newens family still owned the house until the mid-1940s.
